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The Skift New Luxury newsletter is our weekly newsletter focused on the business of selling luxury travel, the people and companies creating and selling experiences, emerging trends, and the changing consumer habits around the sector.
While 100 percent on board Greta Thunberg’s carbon-neutral yacht, I can’t help but wonder if another phenomenon coming out of Sweden is an equally efficient use of energy. Flygskam, or flight shaming, in which airline passengers are derided for their choice of transportation, is quickly becoming a thing around the world. As the movement grows, it’s likely that other sectors of the transportation industry will be targeted as well.
Right now, the impact of this bottom-up approach to activism is being felt by Europe’s aviation industry. That’s because train travel is a legitimate alternative for most people traversing that continent. But elsewhere, perhaps the ire of flight-shamers might be better directed elsewhere. After all, if one is going to reproach travelers for their wasteful transportation choices, how about looking at the millions who take cruises every year? While many long-distance airline passengers have no choice but to fly for business reasons, everyone who is cruising is doing so solely for recreational purposes. There are plenty of greener vacation options. Plus, since the time I started covering travel back in the last century, the cruise industry has consistently displayed a lack of concern for environmental matters.
Or what about private jets? Think about it. You have thousands of small planes crisscrossing the skies every week with less than six people on board. Sure, small planes might not pollute as much as jumbo jets, but given that there are fewer people on board, they end up being much less energy efficient per capita. Since commercial carriers usually fly the same routes — albeit without all of the conveniences and creature comforts — shouldn’t we be shaming those Richie Riches who opt to fly small and the private jet companies that fly them?
Better still, maybe people should spend more time demanding policy makers and transportation companies green up their acts, rather than shaming the hoi polloi. That way, maybe one day, all of us will be able to have the option of traveling via energy-neutral yachts, à la Greta Thunberg, or have the option, beyond the European continent, of traveling by train versus plane.
For feedback or news tips, reach out via email at lp@skift.com or tweet me @dailysuitcase.
— Laura Powell, Skift Luxury Editor
6 Looks at Luxury
Private Jet Services Face Identity Crisis: The need for hands-on, personalized customer service cannot be overlooked in private aviation, even as technology is disrupting the legacy business model.
Is Tour Operator Cox & KIngs the Next to Fall? Debt-addled Cox & Kings appears to be teetering on a brink of collapse. It has closed its Australia/New Zealand operations. And Virtuoso has severed ties with both its Dubai and U.S. divisions.
EbixCash Takes Over Cox & Kings Business Travel Clients in India: Some travel companies — Ebix among others — are rumored to be considering taking over all of cash-strapped Cox & Kings. Ebix has already started the ball in motion.
The Key to the Greening of Travel Will Be Big Global Finance: For all the small steps being taken in travel to improve sustainability, it will ultimately be institutional investors and other big money groups that help the sector navigate and fund a complicated transition into the future.
Saudi Arabia’s High Tourism Hopes Begin With a Botched Campaign Rollout: Saudi Arabia certainly put a lot of thought and money into its latest promotional pitch ahead of a rumored e-visa scheme. But it takes more than drone shots to kick off a successful tourism marketing strategy — clarity in message matters too.
IHG Launches Loyalty Partnership With Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels: The addition of Mr and Mrs Smith hotels to IHG’s loyalty portfolio will help the hospitality giant better compete against Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt for high-end customers. IHG Rewards members also can’t be too unhappy about new luxury properties within their reach.
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Skift Luxury Editor Laura Powell [lp@skift.com] curates the New Luxury newsletter. Skift emails the newsletter every Tuesday.
Photo Credit: As flight-shaming spreads, will airline passengers prefer to remain incognito? Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press
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